Police, community and calendar briefs for March 29, 2014

Police, community and calendar briefs for March 29, 2014, in Marion County, Florida.

Police beat

Four masked men fail to steal ATM

Four people burglarized an Ocala gas station early Friday and escaped with some cash, but not the ATM.

Ocala police were called to Texaco at 3401 SW College Road shortly before 2 a.m. They found the front door pried open but did not see anyone in the store.

Store surveillance video revealed that four people entered the building after using a pry bar on the door. The people were all dressed in black coats and black ski masks and were wearing gloves. They split up, with one going to the back, one going behind a counter and two standing by the ATM. The person in the back took a cash drawer. The others tried to take the ATM. When they couldn’t do so, they all left the store, according to an Ocala Police Department report.

Anyone with information can call OPD at 369-7000, Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Tips can be sent via the MyPD App or by texting 274637 using keyword 368STOP.

Vandals do $15,000 in damage to Ocala home

An Ocala home was found vandalized Thursday. Officials estimated the damages at more than $15,000.

Police said that inside the residence, in the 2400 block of Northwest 31st Avenue, the ceilings and walls were torn down and there was extensive damage to pipes and electrical wiring. Multiple items had been removed from the home, including a refrigerator, microwave and air handler for the central air conditioner.

Anyone with information can call the Ocala Police Department at 369-7000 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com.

Community

Florida artists needed for Appleton exhibit

The Appleton Museum of Art is calling for Florida-based installation art for the juried exhibition “2014 Biennial: Installation Art by Florida Artists,” which runs July 19 through Oct. 19. The call invites artists to submit work by May 5 for consideration.

Monetary awards for the Appleton’s 2014 Biennial will be $3,000 for best of show, $1,200 for second place, $500 for honorable mention and $500 for people’s choice.

An application form, with details and submission guidelines, is available on the Appleton’s website at AppletonMuseum.org or by contacting Grim at 291-4455, ext. 1837.

Scholarships being offered by Psi Chi

The Psi Chi Chapter of Ocala is accepting applications for the LeRoy W. Vereen Memorial Scholarship.

In previous years, the chapter has presented three $1,000 scholarships to local students who have been accepted into college. Scholarship awards are based on leadership, community service, merit, financial need and ability to work with others. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.5 or above, college acceptance letter and copies of college entrance exam scores. The application deadline is April 1.

For more information or an application, send an email to: judgecochran@gmail.com.

Theatre fundraiser runs through April 13

Ocala Civic Theatre’s popular annual “Get Up and Go” drawing is back.

For a $5 donation, contestants have a chance to win one of eight prize packages. Prizes include hundreds of dollars in restaurant gift cards, shopping packages, a special “Pamper Yourself” package, a Disney World weekend, a Busch Gardens trip, and Ocala Civic Theatre season tickets for the 2014-2015 season.

The top prize is a $2,000 American Express gift card.

Tickets are $5 each or five for $20 and will be on sale through April 13.

The drawing will be held at the theater at noon April 15. You do not have to be present to win. For additional information, call 236-2274.

Upcoming bloodmobile locations in the area

The LifeSouth Community Blood Centers blood mobile will be at the following locations

For more information, visit the center at 1607 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, or call 622-3544

CALENDAR

SATURDAY

NAACP MEETING: The Florida State Conference-NAACP, hosted by the Marion County Branch-NAACP, will hold its Spring Quarterly Meeting at the Holiday Inn & Suites Hotel Conference Center, 3600 SW 38th Ave., Ocala. Today’s program includes a business meeting at 9 a.m., workshops throughout the day, and a luncheon event. (351-0824 or lorettajenk@aol.com)

DOG SHOW: The American Sighthound Field Association will host its 37th International Invitational, 6 a.m. today and Sunday, Florida Horse Park, 11008 S. County Road 475, Ocala. The event is co-hosted by the Greater Ocala Gainesville Lure Coursing Association and the Sunshine State Rhodesian Ridgeback Club. Free: spectators should bring their own chairs. (586-764-0634 or 239-3265, or www.asfa.org)

PIANO CONSERVATORY: The Best of Ocala Piano Conservatory, 3 p.m., Queen of Peace Church, 6455 SW State Road 200, Ocala. Concert will be dedicated to the memory of Dr. Faith Sarfarazi (867-1340 or www.marionchambermusic.com)